AUKUS must seek more collaboration to avoid 'cosy' tag

Deputy PM Richard Marles says Australia's great challenge is to climb up the technological ladder. (Julian Smith/AAP IMAGES) (AAP)

AUKUS nations must dispel the notion the pact is a "cosy, anglophone club" to counter authoritarian nations' growing technological edge, the UK's former national security adviser says.

Australia, the US and the UK have to do more to persuade other nations that the technology-sharing alliance is also in their interests, Sir Stephen Lovegrove told the Sydney Dialogue forum on Tuesday.